MNT Update: U.S. Men Back Overseas for Club Season

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (October 25, 2023) – Last week, U.S. Men’s National Team athletes began their professional club seasons overseas.

JAPAN

On October 22, the JT Thunders Hiroshima and outside hitter Aaron Russell beat the Suntory Sunbirds 3-1 (25-23, 25-23, 20-25, 25-19). Russell had 24 points on 20 kills, two blocks, and two aces.

On October 22, the Panasonic Panthers and outside hitter Thomas Jaeschke beat the Tokyo Great Bears 3-0 (25-22, 25-19, 25-17). Jaeschke had 25 points on 19 kills and six aces.

POLAND

On October 21, KGHM Cuprum Lubin and opposite Jake Hanes began their season with a nearly hour-long first set. Despite that, they beat Barkom Kazany Lviv 3-0 (37-35, 25-20, 25-17). Hanes was named match MVP leading all scorers with 17 points on 13 kills, two blocks, and two aces.

On October 21, Grupa Azoty ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle with libero Erik Shoji and middle blocker David Smith beat PGE GiEK Skra Bełchatów 3-1 (25-20, 25-19, 22-25, 25-20). Smith had 12 points on nine kills, two blocks, and one ace. Shoji was credited with 10 digs. Shoji made a spectacular diving save in the match, see the video captured on his Instagram below.

 

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A post shared by Erik Shoji (@erikshoji)

On October 21, Setter Josh Tuaniga and Indykpol AZS Olsztyn beat Aluron CMC Warta Zawiercie 3-1 (23-25, 27-25, 26-24, 27-25). Tuaniga led the team to a .480 hitting percentage and had one kill.

On October 22, Asseco Resovia Rzeszów and outside hitter T.J. DeFalco fell to Projekt Warszawa 3-1 (21-25, 25-19, 25-19, 25-17). DeFalco led all scorers with 19 points on 18 kills and one block.

ITALY

On October 22, Prisma Taranto Volley with middle blocker Jeff Jendryk and opposite Kyle Russell lost to Rana Verona Volley 3-1 (25-22, 25-22, 26-28, 25-16). Jendryk had 16 points on 13 kills and three blocks. Russell had four points on three kills and one ace.

On October 22, Opposite Gabi Garcia Fernandez and Pallavolo Padova fell to Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza 3-0 (25-21, 25-19, 25-16). Garcia had 11 points on eight kills, one block, and two aces.

TÜRKIYE

On October 18, Halkbank and setter Micah Ma’a beat Ziraat Bankasi and opposite Matt Anderson 3-2 (25-19, 22-25, 25-22, 22-25, 16-14).

On October 22, Anderson and Ziraat Bankasi bounced back in their second match by beating Arkas Spor 3-0 (25-21, 26-24, 25-19). Anderson led all scorers with 20 points on 16 kills, one block, and three aces.

On October 22, Ma’a and Halkbank continued their strong start with a win over Spor Toto 3-0 (25-23, 25-11, 25-18). Ma’a led the team to a .600 hitting efficiency and contributed one kill and two aces.

FRANCE

On October 21, Chaumont Volley-Ball 52 with middle blockers Patrick Gasman and Michael Marshman beat St-Nazaire with opposite Kyle Ensing and outside hitter Jordan Ewert 3-0 (25-20, 25-20, 25-14). Gasman had eight points on five kills, two blocks, and one ace. Marshman had seven points on three kills and four blocks. Ensing has nine points on nine kills. Ewert had seven points on seven kills.

On October 21, Narbonne Volley and libero Kyle Dagostino lost to Paris Volley Avenir 3-0 (25-23, 25-16, 30-28).

NETHERLANDS

On October 21, Lycurgus Volleyball and outside hitter Kyle McCauley beat Draisma Dynamo 3-1 (22-25, 25-19, 25-17, 25-21). McCauley has 14 points on 12 kills and two blocks.

Several more U.S. Men will begin their seasons this weekend when the leagues in Germany, Austria, Finland, and Romania get started.